Premier League 
/ Mike Norman / 22 April 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Ian Holloway will have his Blackpool side fired up for the relegation battle ahead
"Another high-scoring encounter is on the cards then with Over 3.5 Goals being one possible wager at [2.8], but I’m very happy just to back Blackpool to win at [3.0]; and that’s not the heart ruling the head."
Another tense afternoon at the bottom of the table is in store says Mike Norman as both Blackpool and Sunderland look to arrest their recent slides. Best Bet: Back Blackpool to beat Newcastle at [3.0].
Aston Villa [1.9] v Stoke [4.7]; The Draw [3.8]
With just eight points separating the bottom 12 teams in the table no club occupying one of those positions will be resting on their laurels; a three or four game winless streak now and you're suddenly staring down the barrel of relegation going into the last few games of the season. One more win apiece for Villa and FA Cup final-bound Stoke should see them safe, and I fancy it will be the home team that gets it today.
Villa have generally been inconsistent all season, but they've won three of their last five (including their last two) whereas Stoke have been dire on the road in 2011, suffering seven consecutive league defeats away from home. Villa should win this one but I fancy it will be a low-scoring affair. Under 2.5 Goals is preferred then at [1.92], whilst in the Correct Score market, the 1-0 ([8.0]) and 2-0 ([11.0]) options appeal most.
Blackpool [3.0] v Newcastle [2.5]; The Draw [3.6]
Despite accumulating 40 points and having a positive goal difference Newcastle will feel that one more win is required to ensure Premier League safety. Blackpool are in a desperate position, and this surely is last chance saloon. Just one win in 13 games has seen them fall into the drop zone for the very first time but I doubt there's a football fan in the country who wouldn't want them to survive; me included.
And I actually fancy Ian Holloway's men to win this. They've scored in every one of their 16 homes games this season and I think they'll attack Newcastle at every opportunity. Another high-scoring encounter is on the cards then with Over 3.5 Goals being one possible wager at [2.8], but I'm very happy just to back the home side to win at [3.0]; and that's not the heart ruling the head.
Liverpool [1.5] v Birmingham [8.6]; The Draw [4.6]
Four points behind Tottenham (though they have played a game more), Liverpool certainly haven't given up on finishing fifth in the table just yet. The Reds have been in decent form of late and they ought to be able to beat a Birmingham side that continues to struggle on the road (just two wins all season).
Liverpool are unbeaten at Anfield in 2011 and they put three goals past both the Manchester outfits in their last two home games, so a comfortable victory can be expected here despite the last five fixtures between these two ending as a draw. Brum are hard-working and tenacious, but they're just not very good away from home. Liverpool/Liverpool is available to back at [2.24] in the Half Time/Full Time market, and a chance is also taken on the 3-0 option ([13.0]) in the Correct Score market.
Sunderland [2.14] v Wigan [4.1]; The Draw [3.4]
This is undoubtedly in my eyes Sunderland's biggest game of the season. Lose it - making it nine defeats in 10 games - and the Black Cats will be in deep relegation trouble with confidence at the football club in absolute tatters. Win it and Steve Bruce's side will suddenly have some breathing space between themselves and the bottom three. It's a tough game to call but Wigan have won some crucial games recently and they might just win this one.
It's also worth noting that Sunderland have a poor record at home to the Latics; they've won just one of the last seven and lost three of the last five. A wager on the away side might be the best bet in this game then as the Over/Under 2.5 Goals market also looks hard to call. For your information though, Over 2.5 Goals is available to back at [2.14], whilst Under 2.5 Goals can be backed at [1.84].
Tottenham [1.6] v West Brom [6.6]; The Draw [4.2]
When Tottenham are at their free-flowing best they can be involved in some wonderful games of football - as they were on Wednesday night for example - but you do feel that an early goal is crucial to the pattern of their play. Spurs have failed to score early in three of their last five league games; two ended as dull 0-0 affairs, the other being a disappointing loss to Blackpool. West Brom lost for the first time under Roy Hodgson last week and it will be interesting to see how they respond.
I fancy Tottenham will get a first half goal in this one, thus enabling them to go on and get a few more. But I wouldn't rule out the Baggies scoring either, so the Yes option in the Both teams to Score market appeals at [1.8], whilst the Over 3.5 Goals option - available to back at [2.9] - is another hunch I have for this encounter.
Wolves [2.66] v Fulham [3.0]; The Draw [3.4]
Another huge relegation battle pits bottom of the table Wolves against a Fulham side that have failed to win on the road in 2011. Wanderers can throw in some horror performances at Molineux however - they suffered 0-3 home defeats either side of scoring nine goals in three games on home soil - and I can see this being an incredibly edgy-affair low on quality and goalmouth action.
Three of the last seven league fixtures between these two have ended goalless and I wouldn't put anyone off backing the 0-0 scoreline this time at odds of [10.0]. But I can see this game being won late on so I'm splitting my stakes between the Draw/Wolves ([6.4]) and Draw/Fulham ([7.8]) options in the Half Time/Full Time market.
Recommended Bets
Best Bet: Back Blackpool @ [3.0] to beat Newcastle
Back Under 2.5 Goals @ [1.92] in Aston Villa v Stoke
Back Liverpool HT/Liverpool FT @ [2.24] v Birmingham
Back Wigan @ [4.1] to beat Sunderland
Back Over 3.5 Goals @ [2.9] in Tottenham v West Brom
Back Draw HT/Wolves FT @ [6.4] & Draw HT/Fulham FT @ [7.8]
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